Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Players Spurs Can Buy to Replace Gareth Bale

In the next step in the recently revived Bale transfer saga, Tottenham need to think of some alternatives should Gareth Bale be sold.

Admittedly, this is unlikely to happen.

If the Modric saga is anything to go by, chairman Daniel Levy will do all in his power to hold on to his star players. No matter, some replacements should be waiting...just in case.

These are some pretty big shoes to fill, should they need filling.

And yes, I realize Danny Rose and Steven Pienaar are waiting for some playing time (when they're not injured). And yes, I understand that this could be the opportunity of a lifetime for Giovani Dos Santos.

I'm not interested in all of this, frankly, because Bale's hypothetical departure would leave a huge hole in the Tottenham attack.

Spurs will need a player that comes close to the level that Bale plays at week in and week out.

Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda has been rumored to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge recently, with Arsenal and Juventus as his possible suitors.

Tottenham could make a shock bid during the January transfer window in an effort to beat out their North London rivals whose interest is also rumored.

As far as his on-pitch contribution is concerned, I think everyone will agree that Malouda would make an impact at Spurs.

Could he replace Bale?

Probably not, but he could come close.

Milos Krasic

This Serbian mop-top was hailed last season for his performances in Italy. Now that Juventus is trying to rebuild, Milos Krasic seems to no longer fit in the plans. 

Even though this Serb is predominantly a right-sided winger, the addition of another creative winger/attacking midfielder could work well in the system that Spurs currently employ.

Lennon and Krasic could switch flanks during the course of a game just as Lennon and Bale do now, and Krasic could move into a more central role to add creativity down the spine of the pitch.

Clint Dempsey

Interesting choice, isn't it?

Most Spurs fans will scoff at this suggestion.

Dempsey as a replacement for Bale? No, I'm still firmly on my rocker.

Dempsey would fit more into the Van der Vaart role, right behind a big striker, but the American can play on the wing and, believe it or not, he doesn't complain about what his coach tells him to do.

The addition of Clint Dempsey would change up the system just a bit.

He's not a particularly speedy winger and tends to cut in earlier, which is certainly different than the current wingers in Bale and Lennon.

Maybe this wouldn't be the best choice for a Bale replacement, but another creative player on the pitch with a cold-blooded finishing ability, somehow, I think could work.

Eden Hazard

Okay, folks, this is the big one.

Tottenham have been putting in some impressive performances and are currently two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand. If they want to be one of the big boys, there will come a time when they will need to bid on players like the big boys.

All the top transfer targets are always linked with the Manchesters, Arsenal or Chelsea. This is the time for Spurs to throw their name in the hat and try to snatch a gem. 

Another creative player that can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder, Hazard can only improve the current Spurs squad.

The bottom line is, if he comes, we'll make a spot for him.

James Forrest

Tottenham sent a scout to watch Forrest earlier in the year. Despite Harry Redknapp denying any possible bid for the Celtic winger, he remains as a possible replacement for Bale.

This would more of a buy for the future, as Forrest is only 20 years old and still needs time to develop. 

By all accounts, however, Forrest is on course to become a fantastic winger—maybe even world class.

He has a bright future ahead of him, and it'd be great if he spent that future at the Lane.